Four fires break out near Hwy 101

At least four fires broke out along Highway 101 near Ukiah Sunday, the combined Ukiah Fire Department and Ukiah Valley Fire District reported.

Division Chief Kirk Thomsen said the first fire was reported to be under the bridge near River Street shortly before 1 p.m. Oct. 20, and when crews arrived on scene they discovered two spot fires along the freeway.

"One was right by the creek, one was a quarter of a mile south, and another one was discovered near the former Masonite property," Thomsen said.

Thomsen said a fourth fire was reported near Calpella, just off the Calpella exit from the highway.

He estimated the total acreage burned by the fires to be less than five, and that the cause was likely accidental.

"We don't believe it was arson, but we haven't ruled it out," he said, explaining that it is difficult at this point to determine the exact cause, but they likely were not lit by one cigarette.

"It would have to have been multiple cigarettes," he said. "We didn't think it was dry enough for chain dragging (fires), but I guess the weather decided to let us know it is still dry out there. People should use caution when burning."

The fire department responded to multiple other incidents Sunday afternoon, including traffic accidents, a kitchen fire reported in a home that was extinguished, and medical aids.